Renovate Your Home to Add Major Value

Did you buy your first home and it’s in need of some TLC? Or are you in your starter home, waiting for mortgage rates to drop so you can graduate to your forever home?

Did you recently inherit property from a loved one that needs some renovations but you don’t know where to start?

Well, you’ve come to the right place.

If you’re here, you likely know that when you make mortgage payments, a portion goes toward the loan's principal, building equity - essentially your ownership stake in the home.

However, over time, as you pay down the loan and the home's value rises, your equity increases. Renovations can raise your home’s appraised value essential in a competitive market or where buyers don’t want to put in a ton of costs to get the property functional.

Here’s where we’ll outline the top renovations that add to your homes’ market value as well as which to avoid.

Top renovations to consider:

Kitchen Remodels: number one is always updating kitchens with modern appliances, attractive countertops, and quality cabinetry. If you don’t have a ton of money to blow on a kitchen remodel that’s a full “gut job,” you can still make minor updates such as a fresh coat of paint or installing new hardware to boost value.

Aim for a balance of modernization, broad appeal, and cost control. Mid-range kitchen remodels yield the best ROI (typically 60%–80% return) whereas high-end luxury kitchens tend to recoup less, unless you're in a luxury real estate market. Aim to spend 5–15% of your home’s value on the kitchen remodel as a safe budget plan.

Start with high impact, cost efficient upgrades like new cabinets and countertops. For cabinets, repack g or repainting old cabinets can offer a high ROI vs. full replacement. Replace outdated hardware with modern, brushed nickel or matte black finishes.

For countertops, install quartz or granite – they’re durable, attractive, and expected by most buyers. While marble has a luxury connotation to it - it’s truly porous and will accrue damage and mold over time. If you’re married to the look of marble, you can easily get surfaces that mimic the aesthetic.

Bathroom Upgrades: second on our list, is adding or remodeling bathroom.

Renovating a bathroom can offer an excellent ROI—often 60% to 70% or more—if done wisely. Like kitchens, mid-range upgrades with broad appeal typically deliver the best bang for your buck.

Focus on the Master bath then powder rooms adjacent to the kitchen or highly-trafficked areas. A mid-range bathroom remodel ($10K–$25K) tends to recoup more value at resale than high-end projects.

The bathroom in the basement that only Uncle Ed uses when he visits once a year can be overlooked. Focus on key ROI drivers like the Vanity & Sink. Replace outdated vanities with modern, furniture-style options and upgrade to stone countertops (like quartz) and undermount sinks.

For the shower and tub area, update the space with a frameless glass shower door (if space allows). A new tile surround and modern tub can also be big visual wins. In small baths, consider replacing a rarely used tub with a walk-in shower.

Energy Efficiency Improvements are always a great improvement for tax reasons and resale. Pay attention to windows, insulation, and energy-efficient HVAC systems which lower utility costs and appeal to eco-conscious buyers (or hey, folks who want to keep their bills down).

Curb Appeal: Landscaping, painting, or replacing the front door or your garage door enhances first impressions and can raise a home's perceived value.

You don’t get a second chance to make a first impression and this is what will attract buyers on your listing plus stay with them as “that feeling when they drove up.”

Power wash the siding, driveway, porch, and walkway to put your home in its best light. By cleaning gutters, windows, and roof debris you’ll experience a breath of fresh air when you pull up. Edge and clean all landscaping beds and remove clutter or old furniture.

Finished Basements or Attics are a great way to add value because they unlock new functional spaces beyond storage. However, before you do anything ensure your project meets code compliance. Key requirements often include:

• Ceiling height: Usually at least 7 feet finished height.

• Egress windows or exits: Especially for bedrooms or living space.

• Insulation and moisture control: Critical in basements.

• Heating & cooling access: The space must be comfortably livable.

Once you’re clear, make your move. Converting underused spaces into bedrooms, offices, or recreational areas increases usable square footage.

Open Floor Plans: When you remove non-load-bearing walls to create open living areas this makes homes feel larger and more modern.

The trend is not going away any time soon, so consider opening up kitchen walls to look into living rooms as one entertainment space.

Alright, now onto the renovations you don’t need to get suckered into. The following “improvements” don't add value, are too personalized, or won't provide a return on investment (ROI).

Overly High-End Upgrades in Modest Neighborhoods. Luxury kitchens or bathrooms with top-of-the-line materials may not yield a good ROI if your home's neighborhood doesn't support higher resale values. If you’re looking to put La Cornue ranges in your basic single family home - think again unless you have a serious chef in the family.

Extensive Landscaping: While curb appeal matters, elaborate landscaping such as sophisticated ponds, fountains, or exotic plants can be expensive to maintain and may deter buyers. Not everyone may have the same green thumb you do or passion for over the top greenery.

A Home Theater: We know, this one bummed you out - but custom-built movie theaters with expensive seating and soundproofing are very niche and may not appeal to a wide market. It can also get a little lonely if you don’t have a lot of buds to entertain.

Swimming Pools (in certain regions): Pools are expensive to install and maintain. In colder climates or areas with shorter summers, they often don’t add enough value to justify the cost. Skip this upgrade unless that pool is doing double duty on birthdays and helping you avoid expensive summer camps for several kids.

Garage Conversions: Turning a garage into living space can actually lower resale value if buyers want covered parking.

Sunrooms: Sunrooms can be costly to build and may not add much value compared to their cost, especially if not properly insulated. Many buyers see sunrooms as a bit passé and a trend their parents or grandparents indulged in.

Wall-to-Wall Carpeting: Most buyers now prefer hardwood or luxury vinyl flooring for maintenance and style reasons. New hardwood floors along with their cost of installation typically return their entire value and then some. Full carpeting throughout is often a turn-off and may appear like you’re hiding damage underneath if an older property.

Removing Bedrooms or Bathrooms: Do not and consider a total no no. Turning two bedrooms into one large suite may suit your lifestyle but generally reduces home value.

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